The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

We were just returning from a marathon drive from our home in Troon to Corsham, Chichester and Brighton and our final comfort stop was at the services near Johnstonebridge. We were sitting in the 1850HL having a cuppa when a nice family, gent, wife and son, came up and I spoke to them through the open window. I said did he want a Dolly, and he amazed me by telling me he had a Sprint, in pimento I think. They were from Barnsley on their way to Oban for a half term break.

A lovely family and a bright little boy. He told us that they didn't use the Sprint much because they didn't trust it! I told them how our modern VW had broken down, and we had just completed a 1250 mile journey in the Dolly without a fault.

I didn't tell them that we were almost hoarse from yelling at each other due to the incredible wind roar at 70 mph, or that my ribs hurt from trying to park the car at extremely low speed on a rough surface car park the night before. In my mid seventies I find it virtually impossible to turn the steering wheel unless the car is moving at walking pace or more - not possible in a very cramped car park.

I fear that my ownership of this car may be coming to an end.

Bumpa wrote: ↑Sun May 29, 2022 8:41 pm
In my mid seventies I find it virtually impossible to turn the steering wheel unless the car is moving at walking pace or more - not possible in a very cramped car park.

I fear that my ownership of this car may be coming to an end.

Our Club magazine editor had his car converted to power steering by this company and was very pleased with the results; https://easysteer.co.uk/

Yes, I have fitted electric PAS to my BGT V8, but the low value of the 1850 doesn't really warrant the expenditure.

But why is the car so noisy? It seems to be mostly wind noise. I notice that contemporary adverts for the Sprint mention that it is quiet. But aerodynamic the body is not, so I take that with a pinch of salt. Maybe we have just got so accustomed to very quiet modern cars.

Bumpa wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2022 1:25 pm Yes, I have fitted electric PAS to my BGT V8, but the low value of the 1850 doesn't really warrant the expenditure.

But why is the car so noisy? It seems to be mostly wind noise. I notice that contemporary adverts for the Sprint mention that it is quiet. But aerodynamic the body is not, so I take that with a pinch of salt. Maybe we have just got so accustomed to very quiet modern cars.

Anything with rain gutters is gonna be noisy compared with modern gutterless cars. it's a fact of life. Add in tired rubbers round windows, doors and particularly quarterlights, even the less-than-aerodynamic door mirrors add some noise and you have a car that was considered extremely civilised to drive in it's day, but is no longer even in the ball park of quietness.

When building the Dolomega I was pleased to come upon (in 2 different places) a pair of NOS complete quarterlights for less money than i've seen the rubbers sell for. Those and some better shaped mirrors mean I barely need to turn up the stereo at 80+. I'd like to have been able to lose the rain gutters too, whilst it's POSSIBLE, with a lot of welding and grinding, it was a bridge too far for me. Besides I find a totally quiet car disconcerting, it certainly makes judging speed more difficult!

The price of the PAS conversion seems to have dropped consideraby now it's no longer experimental, plus even 1850 prices are on the rise. If you do love the car, I think the PAS is definitely an asset and will continue to be one at selling time. Despite my normal habit of doing everything possible myself, i'm seriously considering this convo for my own car. I don't think I could do it for the price any more and certainly not wihin the timeframe Easysteer quote. Must be getting old! When it first became a commercial possibility I was getting quoted between £2.5 and £3k and was justifiably horrified, I didn't pay that much for most of the cars i've owned in a long career! Now at £700 or so, it's within the realms of reason.

Though the PAS is more for SWMBO's benefit. At 68 (tomorrow, as it happens) I'm pleased to report I have no problem coping with manual steering, even with fat tyres and a smaller than standard steering wheel! A lifetime on the spanners has given me considerable upper body strength and stamina which doesn't seem to be in any danger of leaving.

Steve

Mike, the easysteer conversion will transform your Dolly..... I was in the same boat, sell the car (which i love) or bite the bullet. So glad i didn't sell it now.

Tony.

Carledo wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2022 9:08 pmAt 68 (tomorrow, as it happens)

happy birthday Steve.

So that's why there is a public holiday this week......?




Ian

sprint95m wrote: ↑Tue May 31, 2022 11:28 am

Carledo wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2022 9:08 pmAt 68 (tomorrow, as it happens)

happy birthday Steve.

So that's why there is a public holiday this week......?




Ian

Her Majesty 'started work' two years before Steve was born, and so far has carried on for a couple of years after he retired...looking at Steve, that kind of puts a true perspective on her service and devotion to the country!

I would argue that her majesty has served for over four score and ten years…..


Cannot believe how low key it is, surely the Jubilee deserves more than just the banks
and post offices being shut?



Ian

Bumpa wrote: ↑Sun May 29, 2022 8:41 pm We were just returning from a marathon drive from our home in Troon to Corsham, Chichester and Brighton and our final comfort stop was at the services near Johnstonebridge. We were sitting in the 1850HL having a cuppa when a nice family, gent, wife and son, came up and I spoke to them through the open window. I said did he want a Dolly, and he amazed me by telling me he had a Sprint, in pimento I think. They were from Barnsley on their way to Oban for a half term break.

A lovely family and a bright little boy. He told us that they didn't use the Sprint much because they didn't trust it! I told them how our modern VW had broken down, and we had just completed a 1250 mile journey in the Dolly without a fault.

I didn't tell them that we were almost hoarse from yelling at each other due to the incredible wind roar at 70 mph, or that my ribs hurt from trying to park the car at extremely low speed on a rough surface car park the night before. In my mid seventies I find it virtually impossible to turn the steering wheel unless the car is moving at walking pace or more - not possible in a very cramped car park.

I fear that my ownership of this car may be coming to an end.

A coincidence, we live in Brighton/Hove and happened to be in Troon a couple of weeks ago on a trip with a number of other Triumphists. Lovely part of the world, we were there last year too. Stayed at the Old Loans which was lovely, but a little out of town.

Back to wind noise, Dave Pearson had conversiom windows made up for the big saloons. A one piece, replacing window and quarterlight. A friend ftted them to his car, and also removed the gutters. Reckons it is as quiet as a modern car. But teh market for the convesion would be small, so won't happen now.

And Power steering. Still interested in the idea, would have to be speed controlled though, (not manual control, so a speed sensor required) We shall see how we get on with teh car when it finally hits the road.

cliftyhanger wrote: ↑Fri Jun 03, 2022 11:33 am

Bumpa wrote: ↑Sun May 29, 2022 8:41 pm We were just returning from a marathon drive from our home in Troon to Corsham, Chichester and Brighton and our final comfort stop was at the services near Johnstonebridge. We were sitting in the 1850HL having a cuppa when a nice family, gent, wife and son, came up and I spoke to them through the open window. I said did he want a Dolly, and he amazed me by telling me he had a Sprint, in pimento I think. They were from Barnsley on their way to Oban for a half term break.

A lovely family and a bright little boy. He told us that they didn't use the Sprint much because they didn't trust it! I told them how our modern VW had broken down, and we had just completed a 1250 mile journey in the Dolly without a fault.

I didn't tell them that we were almost hoarse from yelling at each other due to the incredible wind roar at 70 mph, or that my ribs hurt from trying to park the car at extremely low speed on a rough surface car park the night before. In my mid seventies I find it virtually impossible to turn the steering wheel unless the car is moving at walking pace or more - not possible in a very cramped car park.

I fear that my ownership of this car may be coming to an end.

A coincidence, we live in Brighton/Hove and happened to be in Troon a couple of weeks ago on a trip with a number of other Triumphists. Lovely part of the world, we were there last year too. Stayed at the Old Loans which was lovely, but a little out of town.

Back to wind noise, Dave Pearson had conversiom windows made up for the big saloons. A one piece, replacing window and quarterlight. A friend ftted them to his car, and also removed the gutters. Reckons it is as quiet as a modern car. But teh market for the convesion would be small, so won't happen now.

And Power steering. Still interested in the idea, would have to be speed controlled though, (not manual control, so a speed sensor required) We shall see how we get on with teh car when it finally hits the road.

When they do the power steering conversion, they use a steering column from a Corsa B, i started the conversion but not finished it yet, you buy an extra speed control sensor to manually adjust the speed

Ps there's a guy on youtube who shows how he did his convertion

Dave

I am pretty sure easysteer use your own column Dave? (they did on mine) Also i think they can do a speed sensitive version as well, but at extra cost. Mine is the manual adjustment. It would be worth giving Rick a call as there is no hard sell, just sound advice.

Tony.